Meryl Streep's Red-Carpet Style Evolution

As costar Emily Blunt said of Oscar winner and overall national treasure Meryl Streep: "She's so amazing it's, like, annoying at this point." Her fashion sense, however, hasn't always been as spot-on as her acting skills. Here's how Streep, who's won three Oscars and been nominated a record 19 times, went from suburban Jersey girl to glamorous red-carpet fixture.

It's not a huge surprise that as a high-school student in Bernardsville, New Jersey, Streep—born Mary Louise—acted in school plays, sang in the chorus, and took opera lessons. But she also dyed her hair blonde, refused to wear braces or glasses, and was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen. After graduating, she attended Vassar and then Yale School of Drama.

A total newbie, Streep had only been on the big screen for two years by this point, so we'll cut her some slack for not knowing that such a loose lounging outfit wasn't exactly red-carpet worthy—but she seemed so youthful and happy to be there, she almost pulled it off.

She received her first Oscar nomination for The Deer Hunter and, in keeping with the film's dark tone, wore a black gown to the awards show. Her bouncy, wavy blowout practically screamed, "It's an honor just to be nominated."

Streep rocked a major haircut, chopping off about 12 inches, and wore the style with her ethereal, almost bridal-white gown. It was gorgeous and appropriately formal, with the sheerness adding a touch of sexy.

In flashy horizontal-stripe sequins, Streep was the radiant, glow-y variety of pregnant with daughter Mamie Gummer when she collected her best actress Oscar for Sophie's Choice—and maybe it was intuition to wear a gold gown the night she'd take home a gold statuette.

Streep added on to her metallic gown with five strands of necklaces and dangly earrings. Though she won for favorite motion picture actress, she could also have taken home an award for most ambitious layering of chunky ethnic jewelry.

Is it any coincidence that Streep's best red-carpet look of all time coincided with the year she starred as a fashion icon in The Devil Wears Prada? The plunging neckline, rich amethyst jewel tone, subtle embellishment, and windswept updo were all perfection

After being nominated for playing lovable but frumpy Julia Child in Julie & Julia, Streep arrived on the carpet to prove she's no schlump in a clean, sophisticated white Chris March gown; the cowl-neck highlighted her décolletage while staying classy.

Back to her winning off-the-shoulder look, Streep wore a slouchy dress with pockets and peekaboo cutouts. The chunky glasses and sleek blowout added a sophisticated edge that kept it cool, and we can't wait to see what she wears this award season.